Water-heater.



D. W. ALLMAN.

WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1908.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID WILLIAM ALLMAN, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

WATER-HEATER.

Application filed March 23, 1908. Serial No 422,791.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID \VILLiAM ALL- MAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, resident of the city of Toronto, in the county of York, Province of Ontario, in the Domin-.

ion of Canada, haveoinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in water heaters, as described in the present specification and set forth in the accompanying drawing that forms part of the same.

The invention consists essentially in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, whereby the water is circulated throughout a plurality of chambers subjected to heating gases and the boiling portion separated from the cooler portion and whereby the gases are continuously circulated around. the water chambers.

The objects of the invention are, to obtain a continuous supply of boilin water and re plenish the water drawn oil with a fresh supply without affecting the boiling water, to insure the water against contamination through contact with injurious gases or polluted air, to effect an economy of fuel, and to devise a safe and convenient device for boiling water, of simple, cheap and durable construction. i

The drawing represents a vertical sectional perspective view of my device.

Referring to the drawing, 1 is the outer shell of the heater, preferably circular in form and having a dome shaped upper end 2 above the waist 3, said dome 2having acentral circular opening 4: and the edge of said opening flanged outwardly.

5 is a hollow flat base on which the shell 1 stands, the said base closing in the lower end of said shell and having a circumferential row of air holes .6 in the outer edgecommunicating with the outside air and a circular row ofshort tubes 7, projecting upwardly through the center of the upper plate. The passage of air through the holes 6 is regulated by a sliding ring 8 having holes registering with the holes 6.

9 is a gas burner preferably circular in form and supported on the top of the base 5 Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

immediately'above the air tubes 7 and connected to a suitable gas supply by a pipe 10. V11 is a pilot burner centrally arranged in relation to the burner 9 and independently connected to the gas supply by the pipe 12.-

13 is an opening through the outer shell 1 through which a taper may be inserted to light the pilot burner.

let is a spherical shell of smaller diameter than the dome shaped portion of the shell 1 having a circular opening through the top and its walls'flared outwardly and flanged over the outwardly flanged edge 'of the shell 1 surrounding the opening 1 and supporting the-said shell 14 centrally within the dome 2. 15 is an annular casing of smaller outside diameter than the inside of the shell 1 supported cent-rally within the lower cylindrical portion of said shell immediately above the burner 9, the center opening 16 through said casing being preferably of about the same diameter'as the outer ring of the said burner and forming a flue to said burner, thev'said casing being supported in its suspended position byvsultable supports 17 secured thereto and to the shell 1 in any suitable manner.

18 is a tube secured to and extending upwardly from the annular casing 15 and through-the spherical shell 14 and communica'ting with the interior of said casing 15 and having a suitable coupling 19 arranged intermediate of its length.

20 is a spherical shell of small-er diameter than the shell 14, rigidly secured to the inwardly extending end of the tube. 18 and supported centrally within the shell 14: and forming a water chamber 21 between its outer wall and the inner wall of the said shell 14, said shell 20 having a circular opening through the top thereof and the wall of said opening flanged outwardly. I

22 is a half spherical shell of slightly smaller diameter than the shell 20 having its edge flared outwardly and secured to the inner surface of the said shell 20 forming an air space around the lower half of the said municating with the interior thereof beyond said air chamber.

23 is a spherical shell of smaller diameter than the shell 20 having a circular opening in the top thereof and wardly and secured in a bead to the u wardly flanged edge of the shell 20 and supported therefrom centrally within the said shell 20 and forming a water chamber 24 between the inner walls of the shells 20 and 22 and the outer wall thereof and a central receiving water chamber 25, the outwardly flaring walls having a circular row of holes 26 therethrough near the upper edge forming a means of communication between the chambers 24 and 25. I

27 is a pipe secured to the shell 23 at the bottom thereof and extending through the chamber 24 and the tube 18-into the interior of. the annular casing 15, the said pipe being supported and held centrally within the tube 18 by a perforated shield 28 rigidly secured thereto and to the interior surface of the shell 22. p

29 is a pipe extending upwardly from the top of the annular casing 15 and through the shells 14, 20 and: 22 and forming a communication between the interior of the easing 15 and the chamber 24, the upper end of said pipe extending into said chamber and considerably higher than the opening to the tube 18 at the bottom of said chamber. This arrangement of the pipe 29 is very important, for, on the heating of the water within the casing 15, it immediately-rises and as the column of water above the pipe 29 is much lighter than the column of water above the pipe tube 18, the water rises easily in the pipe 29 and returns through the tube 18 establishing a circulation of water in the casing 15 and chamber 24.

30 is a cup shaped shield or baffle plate arranged in the lower portion of the water chamber 21 and dividing the said lower portion into the upper and lower compartments 31 and 32 respectively.

33 is a cylindrical casing centrally arranged within the opening 16 through the annular casing 15 and having a vertical flue 34 extending through the center thereof from the bottom and communicating'with a transversely arranged flue 35 near the top thereof and extending to and through the sides of said casing.

36 is a pipe secured to the top of the easing 33 and extending into the spherical shell 14 centrally in its under side and establishing a circulatory communication between the interior of the casing 33 and compartment 32 of the chamber 21, the said pipe having a suitable coupling 37 in the length thereof. The casing 33 is connected to the annular casing 15 by a pipe 38 entering said casing 33 at the bottom and communicating with the interior of said casing 15 through its adjacent side close to the bottom.

39 is the draw ofl pipe extending through its walls flared out-.

tap 40 to its through a suitable the shell 14 and the shield 30 andopening 43 is a hollow threaded cap threaded on to the stem 41 of the tap 40 having a central squared orifice in the top thereof and rigidly secured to said threaded stem by a suitable set screw 44. I

45 is a valve or tap of any suitable form having a screw spindle and adapted to open and close quickly on a slight turning of said spindle.-

The spindle 46 is squared at its outer end and extends through the squared orifice in the cap 43 turning therewith on the turning of the tap 40 and moving easily in thehol; low spindle of said tap 40 so thatthere is no strain on the tap 40 or draw ofl pipe 39. The spindle46 may be adjusted as desired,

in order to regulate the flow of water through the tap 45, by loosening the set screw 44 and turning the cap 43. to change the relative location of the 40. The thread of theyspindle 46 is su ciently steep so that, on the turning of the side open position, the tap 45 will be opened full and on the closing of the tap 40 the tap 45 will shut off the supply. The tap 45 may be opened, however, and the tap 40 retained closed, so that the heater may be filled when empty, as the tap 40 turns in both directions past its open position,therefore if turned in one direction it twill close the tap 45 but if turned in the other will merely open the tap 45 a little farther. The tap, 45 is connected through a.

pipe 47 toa suitable water supply and a pipe 48 supported in a swivel joint 49 in said tap 45 carries the supply of water to and filter 50 having its discharge end extending centrally over the opening 4 in the shell 1.

51 is a cup shaped cap closing the openin from the water chambers 21 and 25 and having an outwardly flaring edge 52 extending over the edge of said opening and valve to the plug of the tglp rigidlysecured to said I resting on a ring 53 of asbestos or other suit- I able heat non-conducting material.

54 is a pipe secured to downwardly. from the cap 51 into the water chamber 25, the lower end being a considerable distance below the holes 26 in the shell 23, and conducting the water flowing from the filter into the said chamber.

55 is a screen of fine wire or other suitable material, placed within the bottom of the cap 51 to prevent the ingress of foreign matter to the water chambers.

56 is a glass tube secured to the draw ofi' pipe 39 and extending vertically upwardly and extending turned on, igniting from the pilot.

therefrom outside of the shell 1 and forming a water gage to indicate the level of the water within the shells of the device.

In order to cleanse the water chambers and to remove stale water from the heater I provide a drain tap connected by a pipe 58 extending through the shell 1 and into the annular casing 15 at the bottom end.

In order to fill the heater the handle 42 is turned to open the tap 45 the tap 40 being left closed.- The water flows through the pipe 48 and the filter 50 and is discharged into the central water chamber 25 from whence it flows into the annular casing 15 through the pipe 27 The water then rises through the tube 18'and pipe 29 and also from the pipe 36 leading from the cylindrical casing 33, filling the water chambers 21 and 24 at the same time, and when said chambers are filled to the desired level, that is, level with the holes 26 in the shell 23, the water is turned off and the heater is'ready to be placed in operation.

The gas to the pilot burner is first turned on and lighted through the opening 13 in the shell 1. The gas to the burner 9 then flame and heated gases from the burners 9 and 11 rise through the flue 16 in the casing 15, passing through the fines 34 and 35 in the casing 33 and also around the outside thereof and subjecting the water contained in said casing to a very great heat. The heated gases then strike against the under surface of the spherical shell 14 and spread around said shell subjecting its surface to an intense heat.

The heated gases rising to the top of the chamber between the shell 14- and the outer shell 1 become gradually cooled as they get near the top and as there is no outlet at the top a return circulation of the heated gases is immediately commenced, the cooler gases passing down close to the outer shell and, falling below the. waist 3, continue downwardly past the outer wall of the annular casing 15 from whence they are drawn inward-to the center by the draft created by the burner and passed again through the flame. It will thus be seen that acontinuvous circulation. of the heating gases is maintamed and all'particles of carbon are abso-' turned on and the water in the heater-is cold, condensation may occur but any mois- The ture so formed will merely fall on the base and eventually be evaporated.

The volume of water within the casing 33 is very small and being subjected to the heating action of a large area affected by the heated gases, rises quickly through the pipe 36 to the lower compartment 32 of the water chamber 21 and issubjected to a further heating process and as the strata of Water in said compartment is very shallow and spread over a large heating area, it is quickly heated to the boiling point. When the water in the compartment 32 is heated to the boiling point, a supply of boiling water may be obtained from the tap 4.0. The boiling water flows into the compartment 31 to the draw off pipe and as the upper surface of the said chamber is insulated from the cooler water in the chamber 241, the boiling water is not afiected.

The supply of water within the heater is replenished simultaneously with the drawing of water from the compartment 31, the supply flowing through the pipe 48 and filter 50 into the inner shell 23, from whence it flows through the pipe 27 to the annular casing 15. The water in the annular casing being subjected to the intense heat of the gases passing upwardly through the flue 16 and downwardly around the outside thereof, is heated very quickly and rises through the pipe 29 to the chamber 24 and circulates through said chamber to and through the tube 18, returning therethrough to the said casing 15.

The water 'within the casing 33 and the lower compartment 32 ofthe chamber 21'is heated and expanded much more rapidly than the water in the other portions of the supply of water to the said casing 33 is well heated before entering said casing, therefore there will be no danger of injuring the said casing33 through too rapid expansion.

In the event of the heater being left for any length of time with the burner lighted, all the water in the chamber 21 will be raised to boiling point, and as the said chamber is not closed at the top the water is free to expand. and overflow the edge of the shell 23 into the fresh water in the chamber 25. The temperature of the water in the casing 15 and chamber 24 also rises very quicky, and,

on account of the circulatory action, is maintained at an almost uniform tonmeratiire. On the water in the chamber 24 becoming heated it expands and .flows through the holes 26 into the chamber 2:). It will there,-

fore be seen that the hot water is not affected of the fresh supply.

in any way by the cooler body of water but any excess of hot Water assists the heating On the water in the chamber 21 rising to boiling point, steam will be generated, but as the steam rises and contacts with the 0001 surface of the cap 51 it is condensed and falls into the chamber 25 eflecting a partial distillation. No steam can escapethrough the opening in the cap 51 as the pipe5t extends below the surface of the water in the chamber 25 and is therefore perfectly sealed. In the event of the pressure rising, however, the cap 51 will rise from its seat and allow the steam to escape. This is a very important feature, as it renders accidents through an undue accumulation of steam, impossible. Another, and the most important feature of safety is, that cold Water cannot be. brought into contact with any surface directly in contact: with the heated gases and therefore the danger of explosion is entirely obviated.

The cold water first enters the central receiving chamber 25 and flows into the casing 15'mixing with the large body of water in said casing which cannot be emptied from the tap 40 as it is below the level of said tap.

The water is then partly heated before it can enter the central heating chamber 33 and raised insaid chamber almost to boiling point before it can enter the compartment 32 and as the draw off pipe is connected to the compartment 31 it will be seen that the compartment 32 can never be emptied from the draw ofl tap. It is possible, however, that,

" through carelessness, all the water within the spherical casings ma be allowed to-evaporate but the water wlthin the central casing 33 will then be boiling or practically so and the flow of such water into contact with the shell 14 will not resultin any-harm. The gage glass should, however, obviate any such occurrence as the level of the water,may

- always be readily seen. 1 I With this device, the water, when once.

heated, may be maintained at the boiling point with the main burner turned off and unless the demand is-very great the pilot burner furnishes suflicient heat to supply the demand but if a considerable amountof boilin water is drawn off or wanted, the main urner may be turned on and aconstant supply furnished. The supply of boiling water is not dependent on the head of water in the supply chamber bemg maintained for the said supply s due to the expansion ofthe whole body of water 1n the device and if necessary a much greater quantity may be drawn off than is a mitted until the upper chambers are emptied.

A gas heater is shown and described as the heating means used, but it must be understood that oil or electric heaters of any suitable construction may be used 1f desired.

It is preferable to introduce the fresh supply of water into the chamber 25 but this chamber could be eliminated and the supply carried directly to the annular casing 15 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The form of'the invention shown and described in detail is particularly adapted 'for restaurant and hotel work where it may be placed on a counter, but, with but a slight change it may be adapted for use for domestic purposes, that is to say, it may be readily applied to heating water for the eneral supply, of dwellings and other buildlngs ,the essential feature of its adaptability for 1 such purposes being in the final heating of a small body of water and elevating it continuously, replenishing the supply in such a manner as not to affect the finally heated water.

What I claim as my invention-is 1. In a water heater, thecombination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported above said heat generator and forming a central flue for the heating gases and with said outer shell a side return heat passage, said passage communicating with said central flue at the top and bottom, a plurality of water chambers arranged one within the other and supported above said annular chamber, the outer of said chambers with said outer shell forming an annular'passage for the heating gases, said annular passage communicating with said central flue and side return passage, means for conveyinga supply of water to said annular chamber through said upper chambers, and means supported in said central flue for conducting the Water from saidannular chamber to the outer of said upper chambers.

2. In a water heaterythe combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported above. said heat' generator and forming-a central flue for-the heatinggases and a side return heat passage, said pasiage communieating with said central flue t the top and bottom, a plurality of waterchambers arranged one withinthe other land supported above said annular chamber, the outer of said chambers with said outer shell forming an annular passage for the heating gases, said annular passage communicating with said central flue and side return passage, means for conveying a supply of water to said annular chamber throu hsaid upper chambers, and a water cham er supported in said central flue and connedted at its lower end to the lower end of said annular chamber and at its upper end to the bottom of said upper casing.

3. In a water heater, the combination wlth an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and forming a centralflue, for. the, heating gases, a, water chamber supported in said central flue and, communicating with said annular chamber, a water chamber supported above said annular chamber and communicating with the chamber supported in said central flue, a water chamber supported within said upper chamber and communieating with said annular chamber, and'means for conveying a supply of water to said annular chamber through said upper chambers.

45. In a water heater, the combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and forming a central flue for the heating gases, a water chamber supported in said central flue and communicating with said annular chamber, a water chamber supported above said central passage and communicating with the chamber supported in said central flue and having a plpe leading from the-bottom thereof through said outer shell, a water [chamber supported within said upper chamber and communicating with the said annular chamber and providing for the circulation of the water in said annular chamber, and. a water receiving chamber supported within the inner of said upper chambers and: communicating with said annular chamber and a water supply.

I 5.. In a water heater, the combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator,

of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and having a central heat flue therethrough, a water, chamber supported in said central flue and, communicating with said annular chamber, a water chamber supported above said central flue and. commun cating withthe chamber supported in said central flue and having a pipe leading from the bottom thereof through said outer shell, a casing inclosed within said upper water chamber and having a double wall inclosing a heat insulating space and supported within'said up-, per chamber and forming an inner water chamber and communicating with saidannular chamber, and a water receivin chamber supported within said insulated waterchamber and communicating with said annular chamber and a water supply.

6.. In, a. water-heater, the combination with an. outer. shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and having a central heatflue therethrough, a water chamber supported in said central flue and communicating with said annular chamber, a Water chamber supported above said central flue and communicating with the chamber supported in said central flue, an insulated casm supported, within said upper. chamber an. I. forming, a water chamr br. and communicating with said annular chamber, a. hafl e; plate-supported Within the outer of said upper chambers and dividing the interior thereof into upper and lower compartments, a pipe leading from said upper compartment and extending through the outer shell, and a water receiving chamber supported within said insulated chamber and communicating with said annularchamber and a water supply.

7. In a water heater, the combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat genera tor, of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator having a central heat flue therethrough, a water chamber supported insaid central flue and communicating with said annular chamber, a water chamber supported within said outer shell above the annular chamber and with said outer shell forming a heat passage, said upper chamber communicating with the chamber supported in the central heat flue and having an opening through the top thereof, an insulated water chamber centrally supported within said upper chamber and cominunicating with said annular chamber and having an opening in the top" thereof, a bathe-plate supported between the inner wall of said upper chamber and the outer wall of said insulated chamber and forming upper and lower compartments, a pipe leading from the upper of said compartments and extending through the outer shell, a central water receiving chamber having an open top and supported from said insulated chamher and communicating with said annular chamber and with a water supply, said receiving chamber having orifices through the wall thereof adjacent tothe top communicating with said insulated chamber, and means for closing the opening in the top of the outer upper chamber. a p g 8. In a water heater, the combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator,

of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator having a central heat flue therethrough, a cylindrical water chamber supported in said a central flue and connected at its bottom end to said annular chamber by a suitable pipe and having a vertical flue extending upwardly from the bottom and a transversely arranged flue communicating with said vertical flue, awater chamber supported above said cylindrical chamber and communicating therewith and having a pipe leading from the bottomthereof and extending through said outer shell, and means for conveying a supply of water to said annular chamber through said upper chamber.

9. In a water heater, an outer shell having an orifice in the top thereof, a heat genago erator, an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and having. a central heat flue therethrough, .a water chamber supported in said central to said outer shell around the orifice in the top thereof and communicating with the Water chamber supported in said central flue and having a pipe leading from the bottom thereof through said outer shell, a Water receiving chamber supported within said upper chamber and communicating with said annular chamber, a cap closing the orifice in the top of said up er water chamber and having a pipe exten ing downwardly from the bottom thereof and projecting into said water receiving chamber, and a water supply pipe leading to and discharging into said cap. v

10. In a water heater, the combination with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and having a central heat flue therethrough, a water chamber supported above said central heat flue and communicating with said annular chamber and having a pipe leading from the bottom thereof through said outer shell, an insulated Water chamber supported within said upper water chamber and havinga pipe leadlng fromthe bottom thereof and communicating with said annular chamber and a pipe leading from above the bottom thereof and communicating with said annular water chamber, a

water receiving chamber supported within said insulated chamber having a pipe leading from the bottom thereof and communicating with said annular chamber, and a water supply pipe discharging into said re: ceiving chamber. a r 11. In a water heater, an outer shell sup ported on a suitable base, a suitable heat generator supported on said base,a plurality of casings supported within said outer shell and arranged one within the other and v forming an outer hot water chamber, an intermediate chamber insulated from said hot water chamber and an inner water receiving chamber, a water chamber supported within said outer shell below the aforesaid casings and above said heat generator, a pipe leading from said Water receiving chamber to sai lower circulatory pipes leading from said intermediate chamber, to said lower chamber, means of communication between said hot water chamber and said lower chamber, a pipe leading from said hot water chamber and extending through said outer shell, and a water supply pipe discharging into said receivin chamber. 7

12. n a water heater, the combination v with an outer shell and a suitable heat generator, of an annular water chamber supported above said heat generator and forming" a central flue for the heating gases a side return heat passage, saidside return passage communicating with the said central flue at the top and bottom, a water chamber supported within said shell above said annular chamber and with said shell forming an-annular passage for the heating gases, said annular passage communicating with said central flue and said side return pas-- said water supply pipe operatively connected with the aforesaid valve.

13. In a water heater, an outer shell supported on a suitable base, a suitable heat generator supported from said base, a water receiving chamber supported within said outer shell, a primary water heating chamber supported within said shell above said heat generator and below said water receiving chamber and communicating with said water receiving chamber, a hot water chamber supported above said primary water heating chamber, means for conveying water from said primary water heating chamber to said hot water chamber, a pipe leading to said water receiving chamber from a water supply, a pipe leading from said hot water chamber, a tap closing the pipe leading to said water receiving chamber and having leading from said hot water chamber, an operating said extension spindle to open and close the tap controlling the flow of water to the receiving chamber.

ll. In a water heater, an outer shell, a

an extension spindle, a tap closing the pipe leading from said hot Water chamber having a recess in the plug thereof adapted to receive the extension spindle of the aforesaid tap, and an adjustable cap secured to the ta hollow'base supporting said outer shell and i having a plurality of openings in the side wall thereof and a plurality of shorttubes centrally arranged in the top thereof and forming communicating passages to the interior of said shell and projecting slightly above the upper surface of the base, a gas burner supported on said base above said tubes and having a as sup ly pi e leadin thereto through sa il outei shell a pilot burner supported adjacent to the aforesaid burner and having a gas sup 1y pipe leading thereto, means for contro hug the flow of air through the openings in the side Wall of said base, an annular water chamber su orted within said outer shell above said urners and communicating with a water supply, said chamber forming a central flue for the heating gases and a slde return heat eespee. 1 c v;

passage, said side return assage communi- Signed at Z the city of Toronto, the eating with said central ue at the top and county of; York, Province of Ontano, m 10 bottom, a hot water chamber supported abovethe Domimon of Canada, this 22nd day of said annular chamber having a pipe leading February, 1908,

5 therefrom extending through said outer DAVID WILLIAM ALLMAN. shell, and awater chamber supported in Witnesses; said central flue and connected to said an- I 'HrDrmms'soN nular chamber and said hotwater chamb'er. WM. G. Mm. 

